Device for Flow Sequencing and Metering

Abstract

A metering device with a rotor inside a housing configured to isolate an upstream source, such as a reactor, form an output to atmosphere. The rotor rotates within the housing. The plate is placed within the housing between the rotor and the top of the housing and between the rotor and the bottom of the housing. The plate has a port through which steam passes to clear process fluid from the cylinder to the output. Steam regulates the temperature of the actuator and the components. Steam also activates the plate to improve the seal between the plate and the rotor.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A rotary valve comprising:
 a housing;   an input through a first side of the housing in a first alignment;   an output through a second side of the housing in a second alignment; and   a rotor having a plurality of chambers extending through the rotor wherein the rotor is configured to rotate within the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is configured to rotate so as to periodically bring a first chamber in fluid communication with the input. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary valve of  claim 2  wherein the rotor is configured to rotate so as to periodically isolate the first chamber from the input. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is configured to rotate so as to periodically place the chamber in fluid communication with the output. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein the rotor is configured to rotate so as to periodically isolate the rotor from the output. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  further comprising a first plate disposed between the first side of the housing and the rotor wherein the first plate comprises an orifice aligned with the input and further comprising a valve seat proximate the rotor. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary valve of  claim 6  wherein a space formed between the first plate and the rotor forms a steam chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  further comprising a containment plate disposed between the rotor and the second side of the housing the containment plate further comprising an output orifice aligned with the output wherein the containment plate proximate the rotor. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  further comprising a second plate disposed between the rotor and the second side of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The rotary valve of  claim 9  wherein the second plate further comprises an orifice aligned with the output. 
     
     
         11 . A rotary valve comprising:
 a housing comprising a first side having an input and a second side having an output;   a rotor disposed within the housing the rotor further comprising a plurality of chambers;   a first non-rotating plate disposed within the housing and adjacent the rotor wherein the first non-rotating plate further comprises an orifice and a stem orifice wherein a steam chamber is formed between the first non-rotating plate and the rotor; and   a valve seat disposed between an output orifice in the first non-rotating plate and the first side wherein the valve seat is configured to maintain a pressure above an atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         12 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  wherein the valve is configured to be gravity fed. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  wherein the valve is configured to be steam purged. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  wherein the rotor is configured to rotate at about 10 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  wherein the housing is configured to be steam cooled. 
     
     
         16 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  further comprising a stem wherein the stem is configured to be steam cooled. 
     
     
         17 . The rotary valve of  claim 11  wherein the housing is configured to be steam cooled. 
     
     
         18 . A rotary valve comprising:
 a housing;   an input through a first side of the housing in a first alignment;   an output through a second side of the housing in a second alignment;   a rotating body having a plurality of chambers extending through the rotating body   wherein the rotating body is configured to rotate within the housing; and   a first non-rotating plate having a first orifice configured to align with one of the plurality of chambers as the rotating body rotates around a central stem defining a central axis and a second orifice configured to receive a stem.